stephenrjking

November 30th, 2016 at 1:07 PM ^

A guy like Jimbo Fisher also fits the description. Technically, so does Nick Saban. Wouldn't surprise me if a key detail in that description was changed to avoid implication, though (and that would need to be the case for Stoops, since the current recruiting ranking system wasn't really in place when Stoops went to OU).

Joined: 03/15/2012

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thethirdcoast

November 30th, 2016 at 12:56 AM ^

This article embodies exactly the sort of thing I was referring to in one of the other threads when I said places like Alabama, OSU, and USC are willing to do whatever it takes to win.

Hell, it's obvious that Saban is running a semi-pro team in Tuscaloosa and all the right people have been paid to look the other way.

Michigan can either choose to stay on the (relatively) high road or fight fire with fire.

I doubt the second will happen, so people should just accept we will be at a competitive disadvantage by taking the high road.

Joined: 08/01/2008

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drzoidburg

November 30th, 2016 at 1:41 AM ^

Yeah poor them, $4 mil+ and fired after 3 years. It's not hell at all for this simple reason - "You wouldn't believe how many would sign on for that. Because, really, that's what's going on right now all over the place." The only thing suffering here is the legitimacy of college sports

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Chaz_Smash

November 30th, 2016 at 11:35 AM ^

I think it's obvious there are plenty of major perks that go along with playing for a big-time program like Michigan. There are plenty of wealthy alums interested in mingling with and helping players.

But I also think it's impressive that schools like Michigan, Stanford, Notre Dame can compete nationally while having at least some academic integrity. I'd have to think school is low priority at places like Florida State, Oklahoma or OSU.

I'm sure this issue is much worse in basketball, where one player can make a huge difference and there are very few 6-10 kids walking the streets.

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Sac Fly

November 30th, 2016 at 3:05 PM ^

There's no such thing as academic integrity. Maybe Michigan has higher standards than other schools, but they still flex the rules quite a bit.

When James Franklin was at Vandy a football player from my graduating class got in who probably couldn't spell Vanderbilt, but the valedictorian of my graduating class didn't get admitted.

Joined: 04/03/2010

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Jimmyisgod

November 30th, 2016 at 12:07 PM ^

No program's fans should think their school is exempt from this, including our own.  Totally naive to think the Big Ten isn't almost as bad as the SEC or ACC. From the college athletes I've known, this article understates the issues by a lot.

The smart coaches aren't involved at all and have plausible deniability.  You think Saban even talks about paying players?  Zero chance, he does his normal recruiting pitch, but there are people around the program handling things and all they need is a list of top priority targets from someone, that's the end of it.

And when you know some schools are paying a lot and you beat said schools for a recruit who also visited those schools a lot, what the hell do you think happened?  Little Johnny didn't say no to $100K  to sign when he'd already taken $10K to visit to commit to a school that was offering nothing.  If you want to play with the big boys, someone is paying.

WOuldn't be surprised if it was 2/3s of 5 star kids that expect big time money to commit.

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